July 31, 2014

Gray Gardens. If you would have followed my lead you would be relaxing in a modern garden space that is surprisingly cooling in the heat of Mid-Summer. Anchored by the soft crunch of weed discouraging pea gravel or bluestone paving, the simplequietmodern plant selections play their shades and textures against the tight architectural placement to optimum effect. Not missing those geraniums now, are ya?

July 27, 2014

I’m praying. Praying that I might absorb every bit of creative inspiration that I can from this amazing space. Stone, wood, air, light, quiet…what else is needed? The Atelier Brancusi in Paris as photographed by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic. And, if the opportunity to visit wasn’t enough…admission is free. Can I hear an Amen?

July 24, 2014

I thought I was zeroing in on the beginning of something big when I was sidetracked taking a shortcut through the garden center at Home Depot. Could a simple ball of sisal twine slam on the creative breaks and start me turning in another direction. Apparently it can…I’m a sucker for any type of natural cord. You name it…jute, sisal, hemp…I like them all. It wasn’t long before a test swatch was produced and then another…first on its own, then knit together with my homespun newsprint yarn. Stay tuned.

July 19, 2014

OK…Maybe a Mc “don’t ask don’t tell”. It’s one way to dress my Black Bean and Quinoa burger. A homemade veggie patty never tasted this good. Some mushrooms, red pepper, a little cooked quinoa and black beans are the base with an egg, a little bread crumb and some parm…spooned into patties and sautéed in some olive oil. Add some “special” sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onion and a sesame seed bun and you’ve gone Mc Meatless.

July 16, 2014

never boils. The same can be applied to getting your orchid plants to bloom . There is plenty of information out there…if you can Google, you can drown in it. Or, you can do what I do and extract the few simple points that are pertinent and don’t over complicate things. Some good indirect light, a light watering using the ice-cube technique once a week, some cooler nighttime temperatures, a bit of air movement and patience…that’s it. And when you least expect it…the best surprise ever. I’m serious. It doesn’t get any more simplequietmodern than that.

July 13, 2014

So, you’re lazing around at the shore and someone brings up a project that you have been meaning to tackle for some time now. It could be your Master Bedroom…it could be your uninviting Entry…it doesn’t matter. You need to start somewhere and you need to start taking action now because the winter holidays will be here before you know it. Look up… the sky might provide some needed inspiration. Dark clouds rolling in over the water with bits of clear blue peaking through or, maybe a glance down to the piece of driftwood underfoot will trigger something. Enter oomph…specifically their Easton Chest. A traditional three drawer chest pared down to its simplequietmodern essence in one of the new wood finishes like Storm or Slate. You’re almost done. The tassel pulls shown in sky blue add a fresh note, but I might reel it back to the gray, keeping it tonal. So there you have it…project started.

July 10, 2014

The dog days are upon us and there is nothing like this kind of simplequietmodern reward after a productive day working in the yard…or, maybe just rinsing off a full day of Summer fun. Can it be that a bit of sun, a gentle breeze, some water and a bar of soap can be transformative? I think it can.